Robert Blanton Draft Stock

[IrishGD31]

For the technical guys on the board, what does Blanton's draft stock look like at this point? I know he does not have top end speed, but watching him in coverage, I just don't see too many CBs with as solid blanketing skills and it doesn't seem, even with his lack of top end speed, that he has been beaten by speed routes. Also, his tackling after the catch and in run/pass rush support seems to be as good as any CB in the country. But, I have not seen him mentioned on any sites as being a possibility for being drafted at this point.

 

[Guest]

For the technical guys on the board, what does Blanton's draft stock look like at this point? I know he does not have top end speed, but watching him in coverage, I just don't see too many CBs with as solid blanketing skills and it doesn't seem, even with his lack of top end speed, that he has been beaten by speed routes. Also, his tackling after the catch and in run/pass rush support seems to be as good as any CB in the country. But, I have not seen him mentioned on any sites as being a possibility for being drafted at this point.

I'm guessing he would be a third round pick. Scouts in the NFL love measurables. As a Cowboys fan, I would love to have him in the third round, but I doubt he makes it higher up the draft than that.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

I'm guessing he would be a third round pick. Scouts in the NFL love measurables. As a Cowboys fan, I would love to have him in the third round, but I doubt he makes it higher up the draft than that.

Personally don't think he will go that high, I think around 5th or 6th round. Will be a great steal for whoever gets him. Hopefully the Colts.. their CBs are atrocious aside from Powers. Jacob Lacey should not be a starting corner in the league.

 

[IrishGD31]

that would be awesome if he got picked as high as that. It would pretty much insure the team would invest a lot of preseason reps, time and effort in him and give him an honest chance to crack the lineup. But, he hasn't cracked any of the draft prediction boards. I'm not sure what more he has to do performance wise to prove himself and he is 6'1, good hips, quick acceleration and change of direction. All he lacks is straight line speed.

 

[Grahambo]

Personally, just shooting from the hip here, I think 4th round currently. Could go as high as early 3rd if he continues to dominate and has a good showing in the combine.

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

Personally don't think he will go that high, I think around 5th or 6th round. Will be a great steal for whoever gets him. Hopefully the Colts.. their CBs are atrocious aside from Powers. Jacob Lacey should not be a starting corner in the league.

Would love for him to be available to the Colts in the later rounds. I think he would be a solid guy to have in the Colts secondary.

 

[Kingbish01]

I'm gonna say undrafted free agent.

 

[ErieIrish13]

Speaking of draft stock, do you guys believe Alshon Jeffrey is better than Floyd?

 

[WhoDeyIrish]

Speaking of draft stock, do you guys believe Alshon Jeffrey is better than Floyd?

No.

I'd say right now that Blanton is a 3rd day guy. He will get drafted at some point, I'm guessing between the 4-7th round.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I'm gonna say undrafted free agent.

^This

Speaking of draft stock, do you guys believe Alshon Jeffrey is better than Floyd?

No. Floyd came into the season as the number 3 receiver. At this point in the season he has passed Jeffrey and is closing in on Blackmon according to scouts. Scouts seem to be down on Jeffrey's body type and his lack of burst. Mike Floyd has a great body type and his burst was good before, but he has improved on it this year.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Kevin Weidl of ESPN Scout, inc. on this very subject.

after comparing him with Floyd -- who is in my book a solid first-rounder -- I just don't know if Jeffery has the quickness or suddenness in his routes to create adequate separation at the next level. We currently give Jeffery a fringe-first round grade, but at this point he rates behind Floyd because of Floyd's edge in athleticism.

 

[ErieIrish13]

Kevin Weidl of ESPN Scout, inc. on this very subject.

Ok thanks. On all the mock drafts Ive seen, Jeffrey is usually ahead of Floyd so i was curious.

 

[amgarvey]

I don't know if there is another thread for this, but could we turn this into a general draft prospects discussion. I think there are a few interesting cases in this class. Blanton is definitely one. I'm guessing somewhere in the 6th or 7th round. It is possible that he will have to try to make a team as an undrafted free agent.He's one of those guys who doesn't have the speed most teams are looking for, but has ball skills, can tackle and has "it". IMO.

 

[BeauBenken]

I think Blanton will be taken in the very late rounds.

As for Jeffery, the guy could bulk up just a little more and play tight end if he wanted. He's a big *** wide receiver. So as far as wide receiver goes, I give the edge to Michael, but Alshon isn't a bad pick up at all.

 

[hrc08]

On the paid site over at II, Mike Mayock said during a fall camp interview and I quote, "People would be stunned at the grades that Gary Gary and Robert Blanton receieved from the NFL" during the predraft grading period.

Now, Gray will certainly take a hit and Mayock loves to say provacitive things but, RJ very well might had receieved a 2nd-3rd round grade.

The kid has the single most coveted attribute the NFL wants in its CB: Loooong arms.

And the kid can flat out lay you off on tackles. I think he has the chance to work himself into the 2nd round.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

From an October 4th article by Wes Bunting, the NFL Scout for National Football Post:

Top Five Rising Prospects

5. CB Robert Blanton: Notre Dame (6-1, 200)
Is a nice sized kid with some pressman skills and upside. Is a bit scheme limited and will even struggle in space as a cover two type corner in my mind, but he’s a good size/speed athlete who can re-route off the ball and has done a much better job this year finding the football.

 

[koonja]

I think he might make a better safety than corner in the NFL.

 

[PatsandBostonfan1975]

Hope the scouts skipped Michigan game

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Hope the scouts skipped Michigan game

Why? Blanton played well in that game and had a huge pick in the endzone.

 

[vinnymac2402]

It was gary gray that played like crap that game

 

[PatsandBostonfan1975]

It was gary gray that played like crap that game

You know thats right my bad